Population Zero

There was a lot of thought put into this movie and I think most will see that this is not an actual documentary. That being said, it doesn't make it any less of a movie. So while this isn't exactly what some people advertise it to be, this is so close to being that, that whatever you think of it, won't really matter.

Well apart from the fact that some people will question your intelligence maybe. But this only showcases how good the work of the filmmaker at hand is here. It also showcases how crazy some laws are and maybe they need to change. There have been faux documentaries before and there will be quite a few after this, but the style of this, might make it more accessible to a broader audience than some other outputs have been. Whatever the case (no pun intended), this is gripping and told very well

This film makes no mention that it's a mockumentary and I find that predatory. Had I known it was fake I wouldn't have watched it. I was believing the story up until they receive a video. At that point the suspension of belief was blown and left me mad for wasting my time. If it was a real documentary I would have given it a higher rating but I feel like this is a bait and switch scheme.

The concept of a fake documentary is an interesting one. The whole time I was watching 'Population Zero' I kept thinking to myself, would I be enjoying this more if it was a real documentary? The answer is of course yes. The biggest problem with the fake side of it is that every time it tries to take itself seriously it just comes across embarrassingly. When it focuses on the story and mystery element it's fine, however when it tries to get heart-felt interview answers out of terrible actors it is nothing short of cringe-worthy.

The story is certainly the strongest part of 'Population Zero'. Quite an interesting plot line is developed and it drives the movie along well. Director and star Julian T. Pinder also quite impressed me. He had just enough charisma to carry the film. Some of the dialogue he had to work with wasn't particularly well written at times, so his acting can come across clunky on occasion. I don't think that was entirely his fault though. There's a half decent film hidden somewhere in here. Just some slightly better pacing and some script tweaks and this could have been something special.

In 2009, three young men are killed in a remote part of Yellowstone National Park. Dwayne Nelson walks in and confesses. Due to a constitutional loophole, he is acquitted and walks free. Five years later, documentary filmmaker Julian T. Pinder is given the material and decides to investigate.

It's a faux documentary. The premise is interesting although the law case should probably come first. It needs a little more explaining like I'm a complete idiot. The first half is fine although I would be lying if I say that it's entrancing. It has a sad mood and shows a world grinding down. The movie loses me somewhat with the fracking. I don't love its use. I'm more taken with this being an act of random madness or a madman bent on committing the perfect crime. As an idea, this is more compelling than its execution.

I went into this movie knowing nothing about it, really. It was on Hulu, and I figured it was going to be your standard found-footage horror schlock. I was mistaken! This is actually less 'horror' and very much more 'crime drama'. You will find yourself invested in the characters and the story, and there is no gore, monsters, aliens, etc. to be found. The film is very much about the characters and the crime.

One of the best things about this film is how it was shot and put together. Although I knew it was fiction, it seems very real, like a true documentary. The actors do a great job too. However, it's the mystery that will really reel you in and keep you captivated.

Definitely worth a watch!